The effects of biomimetically conjugated VEGF on osteogenesis and angiogenesis of MSCs (human and rat) and HUVECs co-culture models

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to investigate if the biomimetically conjugated VEGF and HUVECs co-culture could modulate the osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of MSCs derived from rat and human bone marrow (rMSCs and hMSCs). After treated by ammonia plasma, Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) electrospun nanofibers were immobilized with VEGF through heparin to fulfil the sustained release. The proliferation capacity of rMSCs and hMSCs on neat PLGA nanofibers (NF) and VEGF immobilized NF (NF-VEGF) surfaces were assessed by CCK-8 and compared when MSCs were mono-cultured and co-cultured with HUVECs. The effect of VEGF and HUVECs co-culturing on osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of rMSCs and hMSCs were investigated by calcium deposits and CD31 expression on NF and NF-VEGF surfaces. The results indicated that VEGF has been biomimetically immobilized onto PLGA nanofibers surface and kept sustained release successfully. The CD31 staining results showed that both VEGF and HUVECs co-culture could enhance the angiogenesis of rMSCs and hMSCs. However, the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs when cultured with VEGF and HUVECs showed a species dependent response. Taken together, VEGF immobilization and co-culture with HUVECs promoted angiogenesis of MSCs, indicating a good strategy for vascularization in bone tissue engineering.

Enhanced VEGF/VEGF-R and RUNX2 Expression in Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells Cultured on Sandblasted/Etched Titanium Disk

“…The relevant role of VEGF on osteogenesis has been previously established, and VEGF may regulate also calvaria ossification. Vascularization is a key process during osteogenesis and bone restoration (Lu et al, 2018). As largely reported in the literature, VEGF expression was evidenced during bone repair, indicating the key role of this angiogenic protein in bone tissue renewal.…”

Electrospun Nanofibers for Improved Angiogenesis: Promises for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…The fundamental role of therapeutic angiogenesis has been well established during the repair and regeneration of hard tissues like bones. Local delivery of osteogenic and angiogenic growth factors (mainly bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP2), FGF, and VEGF) via electrospun nanofibrous membranes were considered as a promising strategy for overall enhanced osteogenesis [242], in which, specifically, BMP2 enhances osteogenic differentiation of MSCs [243], VEGF promotes angiogenesis of MSCs [244], and bFGF promotes cell proliferation and migration as well as tube formation of HUVECs [245]. It is worth noting that the sequential release of various growth factors from the electrospun nanofibers could accelerate vascularized bone formation.…”

An injectable scaffold based on temperature‐responsive hydrogel and factor‐loaded nanoparticles for application in vascularization in tissue engineering

“…Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a specific protein which promotes the VECs migration and proliferation, and it is also the preferable factor on inducing angiogenesis in vivo (Hu et al, ). Certain studies also suggest a positive contribution of VEGF to the oriented differentiation of MSCs in the specific microenvironment, such as bone, vascular, and nervous (Lü, Deegan, Musa, Xu, & Yang, ; Luo, Zhang, Zhang, & Jin, ; Wang et al, ).…”